Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II vs McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle

Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II — licensed reference photograph

ACombat aircraft

Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II

Close air support attack aircraft

Credit

Master Sgt. William Greer, U.S. Air Force · Public domain · Resized · Public domain · Source ↗ · Modified

McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle — licensed reference photograph

BCombat aircraft

McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle

Multirole strike fighter

Credit

Staff Sgt. Sean Carnes · Public domain · Resized · Public domain · Source ↗ · Modified

First system

Second system

At a glance

Side by side

Length comparisonOne shared metre scale

Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt IIA-10C · Length

16.26 m

Length source ↗

McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike EagleF-15E · Length

19.446 m

Length source ↗

Lengths retain their source configuration and measurement scope.

Measured figures

Head to head

29 of 45 rows sourced on both sides

16.26mA-10C · Length

19.45mF-15E · Length

LengthScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

16.26 m

A-10C · Length

Single source

53 ft 4 in (16.26 m)^[source]

19.446 m

F-15E · Length

Single source

63 ft 9.6 in (19.446 m)^[source]

17.53mA-10C · Wingspan

13.05mF-15E · Wingspan

WingspanScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

17.53 m

A-10C · Wingspan

Single source

57 ft 6 in (17.53 m)^[source]

13.045 m

F-15E · Wingspan

Single source

42 ft 9.6 in (13.045 m)^[source]

4.47mA-10C · Height

5.64mF-15E · Height

HeightScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

4.47 m

A-10C · Height

Single source

14 ft 8 in (4.47 m)^[source]

5.64 m

F-15E · Height

Single source

18 ft 6 in (5.64 m)^[source]

21.4tGross; A-10C · mission

36.7t

MassScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

11,321 kg

Empty; A-10C · Empty weight

Single source

19,083 kg

Gross; A-10C · Anti-armor mission

Single source

13,782 kg

Gross; A-10C · Close air support (CAS)

Single source

21,361 kg

Gross; A-10C · mission

Single source

20,865 kg

Maximum take-off; A-10C · Max takeoff weight

Single source

24,959 lb (11,321 kg)^[source]

30,384 lb (13,782 kg) Close air support (CAS) mission: 47,094 lb (21,361 kg) Anti-armor mission: 42,071 lb (19,083 kg)^[source]

46,000 lb (20,865 kg)^[source]

15,694 kg

Empty; F-15E · or

Single source

17,690 kg

Empty; F-15E · with CFTs

Single source

36,741 kg

Maximum take-off; F-15E · Max takeoff weight

Single source

34,600 lb (15,694 kg) or 38,990 lb (17,690 kg) with CFTs^[source]

81,000 lb (36,741 kg)^[source]

1A-10C · Crew

2F-15E · pilot and weapon systems officer

CrewScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

1 people

A-10C · Crew

Single source

1^[source]

2 people

F-15E · pilot and weapon systems officer

Single source

2 (pilot and weapon systems officer )^[source]

706km/hMaximum; A-10C · at sea level, clean

2,655km/h

SpeedScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

560 km/h

Cruise; A-10C · Cruise speed

Single source

706 km/h

Maximum; A-10C · at sea level, clean

Single source

381 kn (439 mph, 706 km/h) at sea level, clean^[source]

300 kn (340 mph, 560 km/h)^[source]

1,482 km/h

Maximum; F-15E · at low altitude

Single source

2,655 km/h

Maximum; F-15E · Mach 2.5 at high altitude Mach 1.2

Single source

Mach 2.5, 1,650 mph (2,655 km/h) at high altitude Mach 1.2, 800 kn (921 mph; 1,482 km/h) at low altitude^[source]

4,150km

3,900km

RangeScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

4,150 km

Ferry; A-10C · with 50 knots (58 mph; 26 m/s) headwinds, 20 minutes reserve

Single source

2,240 nmi (2,580 mi, 4,150 km) with 50 knots (58 mph; 26 m/s) headwinds, 20 minutes reserve^[source]

3,900 km

Ferry; F-15E · with conformal fuel tanks and three external fuel tanks

Single source

2,100 nmi (2,400 mi, 3,900 km) with conformal fuel tanks and three external fuel tanks^[source]

467km

1,272kmF-15E · air interdiction

Combat radiusScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

467 km

A-10C · and 10 minutes of combat Anti-armor mission with sea-level penetration and exit, 30 min combat

Single source

460 km

A-10C · CAS mission representing a 1 hour 53 minute of loiter time at 5,000 ft (1,500 m)

Single source

463 km

A-10C · Combat range

Single source

250 nmi (288 mi, 463 km) CAS mission: 250 nmi (290 mi; 460 km) representing a 1 hour 53 minute of loiter time at 5,000 ft (1,500 m), and 10 minutes of combat Anti-armor mission: 252 nmi (290 mi; 467 km) with sea-level penetration and exit, 30 min combat^[source]

1,272 km

F-15E · air interdiction

Single source

687 nmi (791 mi, 1,272 km) air interdiction^[source]

40.3kN

130kNF-15E · ) with afterburner each

ThrustScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

40.32 kN

A-10C · 2 × General Electric TF34 -GE-100A turbofans thrust each

Single source

2 × General Electric TF34 -GE-100A turbofans , 9,065 lbf (40.32 kN) thrust each^[source]

79 kN

F-15E · ); 29,160 lb (

Single source

64.9 kN

F-15E · 2 × Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 afterburning turbofan thrust each dry

Single source

129.7 kN

F-15E · ) with afterburner each

Single source

105.7 kN

F-15E · with afterburner ( or 2 × F100-PW-229 , thrust: 17,800 lb dry (

Single source

2 × Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 afterburning turbofan , 14,590 lbf (64.9 kN) thrust each dry, 23,770 lbf (105.7 kN) with afterburner ( or 2 × F100-PW-229 , thrust: 17,800 lb dry (79 kN); 29,160 lb (129.7 kN) with afterburner each)^[source]

47m²A-10C · Wing area

56.5m²F-15E · Wing area

Wing areaScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

47 m²

A-10C · Wing area

Single source

506 sq ft (47.0 m 2 )^[source]

56.5 m²

F-15E · Wing area

Single source

608 sq ft (56.5 m 2 )^[source]

13,700mA-10C · Service ceiling

18,000mF-15E · Service ceiling

Service ceilingScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

13,700 m

A-10C · Service ceiling

Single source

45,000 ft (13,700 m)^[source]

18,000 m

F-15E · Service ceiling

Single source

60,000 ft (18,000 m)^[source]

30m/sA-10C · 6,000 ft/min (

250m/sF-15E · 50,000 ft/min ( ) +

Rate of climbScopes differ

All recorded figures & sources

30 m/s

A-10C · 6,000 ft/min (

Single source

6,000 ft/min (30 m/s)^[source]

250 m/s

F-15E · 50,000 ft/min ( ) +

Single source

50,000 ft/min (250 m/s) +^[source]

Bars compare reported quantities only. A larger figure does not make a system better; configurations and test conditions differ.

Configuration

Details

Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II and McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle configuration
Specification	Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II	McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle
Type	Close air support attack aircraft^[source]	Multirole strike fighter^[source]
National origin	United States^[source]	United States^[source]
Manufacturer	Fairchild Republic^[source]	McDonnell Douglas (1985–1997) Boeing Defense, Space & Security (1997–2017)^[source]
Status	In service^[source]	In service^[source]
Primary user	United States Air Force^[source]	—
Number built	716^[source]	435 (F-15E/I/S/K/SG)^[source]
Manufactured	1972–1984^[source]	1985–2017^[source]
Introduction date	October 1977^[source]	1988 30 September 1989 ( IOC )^[source]
First flight	10 May 1972 ( 1972-05-10 )^[source]	11 December 1986 ( 1986-12-11 )^[source]
Fuel capacity	11,000 lb (4,990 kg) internal^[source]	12,915 lb (5,858 kg) internal, 22,267 lb (10,100 kg) with CFTs, 34,162 lb (15,496 kg) with CFTs and 3× 600-gallon (2,270 L) external fuel tanks^[source]
Guns	1× 30 mm (1.18 in) GAU-8/A Avenger rotary cannon with 1,174 rounds^[source]	1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A1 Vulcan 6-barreled rotary cannon , 500 rounds of either M-56 or PGU-28 ammunition^[source]
Hardpoints	11 (8× under-wing and 3× under-fuselage pylon stations) with a capacity of 16,000 lb (7,260 kg), with provisions to carry combinations of: Rockets: 4× LAU-61/LAU-68 rocket pods (each with 19×/7× Hydra 70 mm/ APKWS rockets, respectively) 6× LAU-131 rocket pods (each with 7× Hydra 70 rockets) Missiles: 4× AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles for self-defense 6× AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles Bombs: Mark 80 series of unguided 'iron' bombs or Mk 77 incendiary bombs or BLU-1, BLU-27/B, CBU-20 Rockeye II, BL755 and CBU-52/58/71/87/89/97 cluster bombs or Paveway series of Laser-guided bombs or Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) (A-10C) or Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser Other: SUU-42A/A Flares/infrared decoys and chaff dispenser pod or 2× 600 US gal (2,300 L) Sargent Fletcher drop tanks for increased range/loiter time.^[source]	4 wing pylons, fuselage pylons, bomb racks on CFTs with a capacity of 23,000 lb (10,400 kg) of external fuel and ordnance^[source]
Airfoil	NACA 6716 root, NACA 6713 tip^[source]	root: NACA 64A006.6 ; tip: NACA 64A203^[source]
Close air support (CAS) mission	47,094 lb (21,361 kg)^[source]	—
Anti-armor mission	42,071 lb (19,083 kg)^[source]	—
Stall speed	120 kn (138 mph, 220 km/h) at 30,000 lb (14,000 kg)^[source]	—
Never exceed speed	450 kn (518 mph, 833 km/h) at 5,000 ft (1,500 m) with 18 Mark 82 bombs^[source]	—
CAS mission	250 nmi (290 mi; 460 km) representing a 1 hour 53 minute of loiter time at 5,000 ft (1,500 m), and 10 minutes of combat^[source]	—
Wing loading	99 lb/sq ft (482 kg/m 2 )^[source]	—
Thrust/weight	0.47^[source]	0.93^[source]
Rockets	4× LAU-61/LAU-68 rocket pods (each with 19×/7× Hydra 70 mm/ APKWS rockets, respectively) 6× LAU-131 rocket pods (each with 7× Hydra 70 rockets)^[source]	—
Missiles	4× AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles for self-defense 6× AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles^[source]	Air-to-air missiles : 4× AIM-7 Sparrow 4× AIM-9 Sidewinder or IRIS-T (S variant of the Saudi Air Force ) 8× AIM-120 AMRAAM Air-to-surface missiles : 6× AGM-65 Maverick 2× AGM-84 Harpoon 2× AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER 2x AGM-130 AGM-154 JSOW AGM-158 JASSM Joint Strike Missile (to be integrated) Taurus KEPD 350 (integrated on South Korean Air Force F-15Ks)^[source]
Bombs	Mark 80 series of unguided 'iron' bombs or Mk 77 incendiary bombs or BLU-1, BLU-27/B, CBU-20 Rockeye II, BL755 and CBU-52/58/71/87/89/97 cluster bombs or Paveway series of Laser-guided bombs or Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) (A-10C) or Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser^[source]	Mark 82 bomb Mark 84 bomb GBU-15 GBU-10 Paveway II GBU-12 Paveway II GBU-24 Paveway III GBU-27 Paveway III GBU-28 (Bunker buster) GBU-31 or GBU-38 {8 GBU-31s or 16 GBU-38s} (JDAM) GBU-54 Laser JDAM (LJDAM) GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) B61 nuclear bomb CBU-87 or CBU-103 (CEM) CBU-89 or CBU-104 (GATOR) KGGB (integrated on South Korean Air Force F-15Ks) CBU-97 or CBU-105 (SFW) CBU-107 Passive Attack Weapon BLU-107 Durandal^[source]
Other	SUU-42A/A Flares/infrared decoys and chaff dispenser pod or 2× 600 US gal (2,300 L) Sargent Fletcher drop tanks for increased range/loiter time.^[source]	—
Targeting pods	AN/AAQ-28(V)4 LITENING or AN/AAQ-33(V)1/2 Sniper^[source]	AN/AAQ-14 LANTIRN or Lockheed Martin Sniper XR or AN/AAQ-28(V) Litening^[source]
Countermeasures	AN/ALQ-131 or AN/ALQ-184(V)-11/12 ECM pods^[source]	Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems AN/ALQ-131 electronic countermeasures pod Hazeltine AN/APX-76 or Raytheon AN/APX-119 Identify Friend/Foe (IFF) interrogator Magnavox AN/ALQ-128 Electronic Warfare Warning Set (EWWS) – part of Tactical Electronic Warfare Systems (TEWS) Loral AN/ALR-56 Radar warning receivers (RWR) – part of TEWS Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems ALQ-135 Internal Countermeasures System (ICS) – part of TEWS Marconi AN/ALE-45 Chaff / Flares dispenser system – part of TEWS BAE Systems AN/ALQ-250 Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) - combined electronic warfare / electronic countermeasures system^[source]
Primary users	—	United States Air Force Royal Saudi Air Force Israeli Air Force Republic of Korea Air Force For other users, see Operators^[source]
Developed from	—	McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle^[source]
Variant	—	Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle^[source]
Developed into	—	Boeing F-15EX Eagle II^[source]
g limits	—	+ 9^[source]
Others	—	up to 3× 600 US gallons (2,300 L ) external drop tanks for ferry flight or extended range/loitering time 3 x 7-round (21) APKWS under each wing^[source]
Radar	—	Raytheon AN/APG-70 or AN/APG-82 AN/ASQ-236 Radar Pod^[source]

FORCETALLY

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Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II

McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle

Type

Close air support attack aircraft^[source]

Multirole strike fighter^[source]

National origin

United States^[source]

Manufacturer

Fairchild Republic^[source]

McDonnell Douglas (1985–1997) Boeing Defense, Space & Security (1997–2017)^[source]

Status

In service^[source]

Primary user

United States Air Force^[source]

—

Number built

716^[source]

435 (F-15E/I/S/K/SG)^[source]

Manufactured

1972–1984^[source]

1985–2017^[source]

Introduction date

October 1977^[source]

1988 30 September 1989 ( IOC )^[source]

First flight

10 May 1972 ( 1972-05-10 )^[source]

11 December 1986 ( 1986-12-11 )^[source]

Fuel capacity

11,000 lb (4,990 kg) internal^[source]

12,915 lb (5,858 kg) internal, 22,267 lb (10,100 kg) with CFTs, 34,162 lb (15,496 kg) with CFTs and 3× 600-gallon (2,270 L) external fuel tanks^[source]

Guns

1× 30 mm (1.18 in) GAU-8/A Avenger rotary cannon with 1,174 rounds^[source]

1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A1 Vulcan 6-barreled rotary cannon , 500 rounds of either M-56 or PGU-28 ammunition^[source]

Hardpoints

11 (8× under-wing and 3× under-fuselage pylon stations) with a capacity of 16,000 lb (7,260 kg), with provisions to carry combinations of: Rockets: 4× LAU-61/LAU-68 rocket pods (each with 19×/7× Hydra 70 mm/ APKWS rockets, respectively) 6× LAU-131 rocket pods (each with 7× Hydra 70 rockets) Missiles: 4× AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles for self-defense 6× AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles Bombs: Mark 80 series of unguided 'iron' bombs or Mk 77 incendiary bombs or BLU-1, BLU-27/B, CBU-20 Rockeye II, BL755 and CBU-52/58/71/87/89/97 cluster bombs or Paveway series of Laser-guided bombs or Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) (A-10C) or Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser Other: SUU-42A/A Flares/infrared decoys and chaff dispenser pod or 2× 600 US gal (2,300 L) Sargent Fletcher drop tanks for increased range/loiter time.^[source]

4 wing pylons, fuselage pylons, bomb racks on CFTs with a capacity of 23,000 lb (10,400 kg) of external fuel and ordnance^[source]

Airfoil

NACA 6716 root, NACA 6713 tip^[source]

root: NACA 64A006.6 ; tip: NACA 64A203^[source]

Close air support (CAS) mission

47,094 lb (21,361 kg)^[source]

—

Anti-armor mission

42,071 lb (19,083 kg)^[source]

—

Stall speed

120 kn (138 mph, 220 km/h) at 30,000 lb (14,000 kg)^[source]

—

Never exceed speed

450 kn (518 mph, 833 km/h) at 5,000 ft (1,500 m) with 18 Mark 82 bombs^[source]

—

CAS mission

250 nmi (290 mi; 460 km) representing a 1 hour 53 minute of loiter time at 5,000 ft (1,500 m), and 10 minutes of combat^[source]

—

Wing loading

99 lb/sq ft (482 kg/m 2 )^[source]

—

Thrust/weight

0.47^[source]

0.93^[source]

Rockets

4× LAU-61/LAU-68 rocket pods (each with 19×/7× Hydra 70 mm/ APKWS rockets, respectively) 6× LAU-131 rocket pods (each with 7× Hydra 70 rockets)^[source]

—

Missiles

4× AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air missiles for self-defense 6× AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles^[source]

Air-to-air missiles : 4× AIM-7 Sparrow 4× AIM-9 Sidewinder or IRIS-T (S variant of the Saudi Air Force ) 8× AIM-120 AMRAAM Air-to-surface missiles : 6× AGM-65 Maverick 2× AGM-84 Harpoon 2× AGM-84H/K SLAM-ER 2x AGM-130 AGM-154 JSOW AGM-158 JASSM Joint Strike Missile (to be integrated) Taurus KEPD 350 (integrated on South Korean Air Force F-15Ks)^[source]

Bombs

Mark 80 series of unguided 'iron' bombs or Mk 77 incendiary bombs or BLU-1, BLU-27/B, CBU-20 Rockeye II, BL755 and CBU-52/58/71/87/89/97 cluster bombs or Paveway series of Laser-guided bombs or Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) (A-10C) or Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser^[source]

Mark 82 bomb Mark 84 bomb GBU-15 GBU-10 Paveway II GBU-12 Paveway II GBU-24 Paveway III GBU-27 Paveway III GBU-28 (Bunker buster) GBU-31 or GBU-38 {8 GBU-31s or 16 GBU-38s} (JDAM) GBU-54 Laser JDAM (LJDAM) GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) B61 nuclear bomb CBU-87 or CBU-103 (CEM) CBU-89 or CBU-104 (GATOR) KGGB (integrated on South Korean Air Force F-15Ks) CBU-97 or CBU-105 (SFW) CBU-107 Passive Attack Weapon BLU-107 Durandal^[source]

Other

SUU-42A/A Flares/infrared decoys and chaff dispenser pod or 2× 600 US gal (2,300 L) Sargent Fletcher drop tanks for increased range/loiter time.^[source]

—

Targeting pods

AN/AAQ-28(V)4 LITENING or AN/AAQ-33(V)1/2 Sniper^[source]

AN/AAQ-14 LANTIRN or Lockheed Martin Sniper XR or AN/AAQ-28(V) Litening^[source]

Countermeasures

AN/ALQ-131 or AN/ALQ-184(V)-11/12 ECM pods^[source]

Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems AN/ALQ-131 electronic countermeasures pod Hazeltine AN/APX-76 or Raytheon AN/APX-119 Identify Friend/Foe (IFF) interrogator Magnavox AN/ALQ-128 Electronic Warfare Warning Set (EWWS) – part of Tactical Electronic Warfare Systems (TEWS) Loral AN/ALR-56 Radar warning receivers (RWR) – part of TEWS Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems ALQ-135 Internal Countermeasures System (ICS) – part of TEWS Marconi AN/ALE-45 Chaff / Flares dispenser system – part of TEWS BAE Systems AN/ALQ-250 Eagle Passive Active Warning Survivability System (EPAWSS) - combined electronic warfare / electronic countermeasures system^[source]

Primary users

—

United States Air Force Royal Saudi Air Force Israeli Air Force Republic of Korea Air Force For other users, see Operators^[source]

Developed from

—

McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle^[source]

Variant

—

Boeing F-15SE Silent Eagle^[source]

Developed into

—

Boeing F-15EX Eagle II^[source]

g limits

—

+ 9^[source]

Others

—

up to 3× 600 US gallons (2,300 L ) external drop tanks for ferry flight or extended range/loitering time 3 x 7-round (21) APKWS under each wing^[source]

Radar

—

Raytheon AN/APG-70 or AN/APG-82 AN/ASQ-236 Radar Pod^[source]